LNP suspends Qld MP Scott Driscoll

Updated
March 25, 2013 20:53:00

Queensland MP Scott Driscoll has been suspended from the Liberal National Party amid accusations of misconduct. He's accused of inappropriate dealings with a retail lobby group and a local community organisation while in office. The Premier Campbell Newman has been rigorously defending Mr Driscoll since the allegations surfaced weeks ago. But he's now announced Mr Driscoll is heading for the crossbenches until his name is cleared.

PETER LLOYD: Queensland MP Scott Driscoll has been suspended from the Liberal National Party amid accusations of misconduct. He's accused of inappropriate dealings with a retail lobby group and a local community organisation while in office.

The Premier, Campbell Newman, has been rigorously defending Mr Driscoll since the allegations surfaced weeks ago. But he's now announced Mr Driscoll is heading for the crossbenches until his name is cleared.

Stephanie Smail reports.

CAMPBELL NEWMAN: Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming in at relatively short notice.

STEPHANIE SMAIL: The Queensland Premier, Campbell Newman, called a press conference this afternoon to deliver the news.

CAMPBELL NEWMAN: Over the last few weeks there has been a fair bit of controversy surrounding the Member of Redcliffe, Mr Scott Driscoll. That ongoing controversy has, frankly, distracted the Government from its task of taking Queensland forward, and particularly impeded us in getting important messages out about the Government's agenda to the community.

Frankly, I can't tolerate that occurring any longer.

STEPHANIE SMAIL: The accusations against Redcliffe MP Scott Driscoll have been building for weeks. He's accused of continuing to run a taxpayer-funded community organisation after he was elected, and paying his wife public money via her consulting firm. Mr Driscoll is also accused of continuing his role as boss of an industry lobby group while serving as an MP.

The Premier has defended the Redcliffe MP since the allegations surfaced. But he says discussions with the Liberal National Party hierarchy and cabinet members changed his position.

CAMPBELL NEWMAN: Everyone is of the same view: this matter cannot continue, and that is why today I contacted LNP president Bruce McIver and requested that Mr Driscoll's membership of the LNP be suspended, and that he then sit on the crossbenches until such time as the various investigations and inquiries into his alleged activities are worked through.

STEPHANIE SMAIL: Scott Driscoll's conduct has already been investigated by Queensland's Crime and Misconduct Commission, but there was no evidence of misconduct. The CMC is now assessing whether another investigation is needed.

Mr Driscoll stood up in the Queensland Parliament last week to explain himself. Campbell Newman says he should have provided a more detailed statement.

CAMPBELL NEWMAN: In Parliament on Thursday he perhaps could have been more fulsome and precise in dealing with the specifics that were raised in the Courier Mail, I will say that.

STEPHANIE SMAIL: The State Opposition Leader, Annastacia Palaszczuk, is questioning the Premier's sudden change of heart.

ANNASTACIA PALASZCZUK: What has changed now? What is the new evidence that means that now Mr Driscoll's to stand down from the LNP? The Premier has not shown leadership over the last two months. What new revelations have been revealed to cabinet today to state that now the Member for Redcliffe will no longer - will be stood down as an LNP member?

The Premier needs to give a full and frank and detailed discussion about this to not only the people of Redcliffe but to the people of Queensland.

ANNASTACIA PALASZCZUK: This is a Premier and a Government that has stood side by side with this member all through the last week of Parliament and the preceding weeks. This is not good enough for the Premier to wash his hands of this affair when he stood by him for three days in Parliament last week.

STEPHANIE SMAIL: Mr Newman says he doesn't regret supporting Mr Driscoll. He says the Redcliffe MP has taken the news well and he hopes he can return to the Liberal National Party at some stage.

CAMPBELL NEWMAN: What I have tried to do over the last month or so is show him the loyalty and sense of fair go that anybody would expect from their boss. So today I've come to this decision because it's in the best interest of the Government as a whole. I am heartened by his response to my decision because I think that bodes well for his ultimate return, should these matters be found to be baseless, back into the LNP.